Art in the Garden

This is the gist of my 2/12/11 presention at the San Diego Botanic Garden. What defines “art” is subjective, and its forms are infinitely variable. But in general, when positioning a delicate sculpture in your garden, silhouette it against a solid surface or the sky. Otherwise, the piece may disappear. (Photo taken at Taliesin West, near Phoenix.)

Substantial art objects are even more dramatic with the right backdrop. This photo—from my book, Designing with Succulents—is really about the agaves. Don’t you love the way they burst from behind St. Francis like green flames?

So, you don’t want a statue of St. Francis in your garden? He is a bit of a cliche, ha. Which brings me to a crucial concept: Love the art you DO choose. For example, I adore (and wish I owned) this sculpture by Mexican artist Jose Ignacio Castaneda. Photo taken at Rancho La Puerta fitness spa, Baja California.

The piece needn’t be elaborate or expensive, but it should delight your soul. I couldn’t stop gazing at this hammock, also at Rancho La Puerta. Not only does it encapsulate a delicious invitation, it captivates with color, lines and shadows. Look at the way it partners with light! Its shadow alone is garden art.

Ideally, sight lines lead the eye to the art. This really IS someone’s back yard. There’s a golf course beyond the lawn, so the view benefits from borrowed landscaping. Brick steps sweep in a graceful arc that ends in a tree that resembles a bonsai. The pine’s shadow, which moves slowly with the sun, subtly enhances the tableau.

Whimsical art is delightful, but if it’s too cute or kitschy, you’ll tire of it soon. These life-sized metal sculptures of desert horned lizards do it right, and don’t you love the shadows they cast on the stucco wall?

This is “Wind” by Frank Lloyd Wright, another sculpture at Taliesin West. It doesn’t move, unlike art that is wind-driven. No photo can do a kinetic sculpture justice; it has to be seen to be appreciated. Artist Anthony Howe’s “Rooster Rings is one outstanding example. Smaller, more affordable pieces often can be found at garden centers. Or Google “wind art”.

Garden art can be functional, too, and even solve problems. Here, the designer/homeowner’s challenge was to create a path that “worked” with both the driveway and the home’s front steps. The solution is texturally intriguing and inviting to visitors: Squares that combine elements of both materials, visually uniting them. What makes this art is how each paver incorporates a pebble mosaic, and how the first paver extends into the driveway.

If you’re good with handicrafts, create your own outdoor art. Here’s a simple yet effective idea that combines whimsy, color, texture and light: a brick topped with a mosaic of glass.

Speaking of glass, artist Dale Chihuly did a famous installation at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. Pieces interpreted and resembled plants in the garden. I don’t know about you, but I’d be a little nervous having towers of blown glass in my garden. Not much likelihood of that, though. Can you imagine what even one Chihuly sculpture must cost?

But here’s something I can afford: a kinetic sculpture with texture, drama and personality; that looks fabulous silhouetted against the sky; and that makes a statement about my own gardening aesthetic. Now, to find the perfect place for it…

Award-winning garden photojournalist Debra Lee Baldwin authored the Timber Press bestsellers Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens, and Succulents Simplified. Debra is a regular contributor to Sunset and other publications, and her own half-acre garden near San Diego has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens. Debra specializes in showing how to use architectural, waterwise and easy-care succulents in a wide variety of appealing and creative applications. www.debraleebaldwin.com.

Very interesting discussion about the various uses of art in the garden. I admire how you handled the ‘what is art’ issue so gently and inclusively and even said people might buy wind driven art at a garden center, understanding that every one cannot afford fine art.

Thanks, Carolyn. I do think that garden-center art can be wonderful, as long as it is a good match for its setting and isn’t too cute or kitschy. — Debra

Diana GoforthJanuary 19, 2011, 7:37 pm

Nicely done! Your photos illustrate how well art and gardens go together. Each make the other look better. I look forward to hearing you speak about this on February 12th at San Diego Botanic Garden.

Good point, Diana. Each enhances the other. I look forward to seeing you, too! — Debra

DixieJanuary 22, 2011, 4:28 am

The only art I have in my garden are succulents! And rocks. Both are undeniably sculptural.

I love that sweep of brick edged steps leading to the boulders and tree, so simple and yet so effective. Kinetic sculptures always remind me of that disaster movie about chasing tornados, I forget the name. I’ve seen some amazing glass sculpture but think I am way too clumsy to be entrusted with such a thing, so it is probably just as well I couldn’t afford it! Great post.

Ha! Now that you mention it, I see what you mean about kinetic sculptures and the movie “Twister.” Btw, there’s a new one out called “Tornado Alley.” No flying cows this time, though. — Debra

I had no idea about where to put garden sculptures. I thought you just put them wherever you wanted. I will have to try moving some of my garden statues in front of a solid surface so it can be silhouetted.